Chain snatchers seem to find the Western Express Highway more suitable than the eastern freeway because the latter has fewer “black spots”, experts say, reports Shahkar Abidi.

Chain snatchers seem to find the Western Express Highway more suitable than the eastern freeway because the latter has fewer “black spots”, experts say.

Experts say the Eastern Express Highway does not have many junctions that provide easy escape routes. “There are fewer side roads [service roads] and junctions around the Eastern Express Highway. The accused usually use these to escape,” said crime branch Police Inspector A. Gawde.

Police say after snatching chains, the accused try to sneak into small lanes and bylanes around residential areas. The Eastern Express Highway has very few residential areas nearby, while the Western Express Highway has a continuous stretch of residential and commercial habitat.

Police say most chain snatching incidents take place when the victim is in an auto rickshaw that is waiting at a junction or a traffic signal or is walking along the highway.

Traffic experts are of the opinion that since fewer autos ply on the Eastern Express Highway than on the western side, incidents of chain snatching are fewer there. Chances of chain snatching are lesser when people are travelling in cars or taxis because the passengers can lock the doors of the vehicle.

“Apart from the police, the general public should also be careful and alert while travelling,” traffic expert Sudhir Badami said.